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| Malaysia's New King Installation |
Last Wednesday, 11 April 2012 was declared a public holiday for Malaysia. On that historical day, the country celebrated the enthronement of its new king. The ceremony was done lavishly, rich in centuries-old royal traditions.
Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah who is now 84, was also the King in the 1970s. He is the first King to hold the position twice under the country's rotating monarchy.
The "Yang di-Pertuan Agong" (meaning "He Who Is Made Lord") a name given based on his rank, is the normal and respectful way to address the king in this country.
Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah who is now 84, was also the King in the 1970s. He is the first King to hold the position twice under the country's rotating monarchy.
The "Yang di-Pertuan Agong" (meaning "He Who Is Made Lord") a name given based on his rank, is the normal and respectful way to address the king in this country.
The King officially took his oath in a public ceremony in the yellow carpet throne room of the National Palace at the hilltop in Kuala Lumpur.
The King who studied at Oxford University, is a great fan of jazz, football, polo and golf.
He was proclaimed as the fourteenth King by Malaysia's Prime Minister and before an audience of other sultans, ministers and foreign dignitaries.
For the ceremony, the monarch was dressed in black and yellow royal regalia, made of wool and embroidered with gold threads. He was presented with a Koran and then with "Keris Panjang Diraja", the royal long dagger.
It is known that in the Malay history and among the Malay rulers, these two things signify symbols of power and authority. The King drew out the dagger and kissed it. The country's sultan lineage can be traced back to the 15th century, since Parameswara's settlement in Malacca.
Government offices in the country must show respect to their king and queen by hanging potraits of them both on the wall where it can be easily seen by the public. The king is also the symbolic head of Islam in the nation, as well as the nominal chief of the military.
The country has had an elected monarchy since independence from Britain in 1957. In a unique arrangement, the throne rotates every five years among the rulers of the nine Malaysian states still headed by royalty.
The King who studied at Oxford University, is a great fan of jazz, football, polo and golf.
He was proclaimed as the fourteenth King by Malaysia's Prime Minister and before an audience of other sultans, ministers and foreign dignitaries.
For the ceremony, the monarch was dressed in black and yellow royal regalia, made of wool and embroidered with gold threads. He was presented with a Koran and then with "Keris Panjang Diraja", the royal long dagger.
It is known that in the Malay history and among the Malay rulers, these two things signify symbols of power and authority. The King drew out the dagger and kissed it. The country's sultan lineage can be traced back to the 15th century, since Parameswara's settlement in Malacca.
Government offices in the country must show respect to their king and queen by hanging potraits of them both on the wall where it can be easily seen by the public. The king is also the symbolic head of Islam in the nation, as well as the nominal chief of the military.
The country has had an elected monarchy since independence from Britain in 1957. In a unique arrangement, the throne rotates every five years among the rulers of the nine Malaysian states still headed by royalty.
